Times have changed. Our homes are often small spaces – and now they’re our workplaces and workout spaces too, along with our relaxation and entertainment spots. And no other room gets as much action as the living room. It can be overwhelming! But here’s a secret: Don’t overthink it, keep it organized and you’ll have a place to get comfortable any time and live your life. The most important thing? A sofa, like Cozey sofas, that can be customized to fit your lifestyle.

The One Thing You Really Need? A sofa!

A sofa can make the most of your small space. Look for one that fits your lifestyle, so choose one with modular units that can be configured to your personal space. You can start with a regular sofa and add on for a customized sectional.

These sofas fit the bill – they’re designed in Canada, they arrive in less than a week and the seats and arms are shipped in boxes, so you don’t have to stress about lugging a huge piece of furniture into your place. The best part? The parts snap and lock into place for easy assembly without tools – the sofas can be put together in about 20 minutes. And you can feel good about purchasing one: Every time a sofa is sold, the company donates a comfort box filled with items like socks and underwear to the homeless community and shelters.

Where to Start

• Listen to your mom Don’t just toss your sweater over a chair or leave your shoes where you take them off. Make it a habit to clean up after yourself and put your stuff away. Do you like to eat in front of the TV? Great – but take your dirty dishes into the kitchen when you’re finished.

• Clear the clutter Mail, magazines, books and remotes tend to land all over the living room. Find a system that works. The easiest way to do it? A coffee table with drawers underneath for holding and organizing items. Or think vertical – bookshelves can house a variety of items, not just books, and they won’t take up any floor space.

• Corral all your items Whether you’re a knitter or you like building Legos or doing puzzles, you need to contain them. Think baskets, rolling bins or storage cubes. If you are a collector, showcase your favourites in display cases.

• Use the cart-and-carry method If you work out to videos on your TV screen, then bring your exercise equipment in, do your workout and store the weights and mats in a closet or under your bed. Don’t just leave them on the living room floor.

• Do it every day Sort the mail, put things in the right spot and tidy up daily, this way your living room will always look neat and cleaning up never becomes a big chore.

 

 

5 + 1 Ways to Organize a Small Zen Space

1. Keep it neutral: White or sand coloured walls will always make a room look bigger and create a calm space. Similarly, colours such as ivory or grey work well for larger items like a sofa.

2. Does colour make you happy? Look into flowering houseplants, artwork or a lovely patterned rug. Add bright hues and texture with pillows and accessories.

3. Add fun lighting: It doesn’t have to be a couple of typical table lamps. Think about stringing fairy lights around a window or over the sofa. A modern chandelier or antique wall sconces can be placed strategically around the room.

4. Build in stations: Even in a small space, separating areas will make you happier. Let’s say you work in the living room. A bookshelf, a folding screen or a plant divider can separate your desk from the rest of the space and hopefully make it a little easier to walk away at the end of the day.

5. Less really is more: Don’t try to cram in too much furniture, and look for items that can multitask. An space-saving ottoman for example, can be used as a small table, a storage unit for throws or an extra seat if friends come over.

Plus 1: Instead of having all your DVDs take up precious space, consider selling and donating them, and subscribing to a streaming service for music, movies or shows that you like to watch.

Check out Cozey sofas, which offer hundreds of different configurations. They’re comfy enough to lie on for Netflix marathons but, if your work from home, they also feature enough support to sit up straight without sinking into it. And make it easy on yourself: these sofas are all pet friendly and highly resistant.

Design the perfect sofa for your space. Adapt, expand and redesign it anytime. Cozey, keep it simple.